JP3892817B2 - Program execution device and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for executing a program stored in a storage medium, and more particularly to processing when an error occurs in reading data from the storage medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, a home game device is known that executes a game by reading and executing a game program stored in a storage medium such as a ROM cartridge, a CD-ROM, or a DVD-ROM. Such a home game machine first reads a basic game program necessary for executing the game from a storage medium and stores it in a memory in the game machine as an initial setting process at the start of the game. Then, the stored game program is executed to advance the game. Further, when more data is required as the game progresses, the game machine advances the game by reading and using the necessary data from the storage medium.
[0003]
While the data is being read from the storage medium, the progress of the game is basically temporarily stopped. During this time, a predetermined image is displayed to the user or predetermined music is output. There are also those that produce performances. For example, there are some which display characters such as “Now loading ...” while reading data from a storage medium, and reproduce predetermined music. In order to perform the effects as described above, it is necessary to previously store the material data for that purpose in the memory of the game machine.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When the game machine reads data from the storage medium, a reading error may occur. As a process on the game machine side, when a reading error occurs, it is general that the reading process is generally repeatedly executed until the reading succeeds correctly. During that time, the material prepared in advance as described above is used. Data can be played back.
[0005]
However, such material data is data that is not directly related to the original game progress, and it is always necessary to store such data in the memory for an irregular state such as a reading error. There has been a problem of lowering the use efficiency.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is not necessary to store material data in advance in the memory of the apparatus, and a program execution apparatus capable of performing a predetermined effect when a reading error occurs, and therefore An object of the present invention is to provide a processing control program.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In one aspect of the present invention, a program execution comprising: a memory; a read / write unit that reads a game program from a storage medium and writes the game program; and a program execution unit that executes the game program written in the memory An error processing means for outputting read error output data including at least one of image data and audio data when an error occurs in reading game data from the storage medium by the read / write means; The error processing means outputs a control code constituting the game program stored in the memory as the reading error output data when the reading error occurs .
[0008]
The program execution device reads a game program stored in a storage medium such as an optical disk, writes it in an internal memory, and executes it to execute a predetermined process. If necessary, the game data is further read from the storage medium and used to execute processing. Here, when a reading error occurs when the game data is further read from the storage medium, the program execution device generates and processes the output data for the reading error and outputs it. The output data for reading error can be, for example, image data of a noise screen or sound data of noise sound. Specifically, control code data constituting a game program stored in the memory when a reading error occurs is output as output data for reading error . Since the read error output data is generated when a read error occurs, it is necessary to prepare image data and audio data for such a read error in advance and store them in the memory of the program execution device. Thus, the memory of the program execution device can be effectively used.
[0011]
In another aspect of the program execution device, the read / write unit reads a read error handling processing program from the storage medium and writes it to the memory prior to execution of the game program by the program execution unit, The error processing means generates the read error output data by causing the program execution means to execute the read error handling processing program. According to this aspect, the read error handling processing program is stored in the memory at the start of program execution, and when a read error occurs during the subsequent program execution, the read error handling stored in the memory is handled. Output data for reading error can be generated by the processing program. The reading error handling processing program can be configured by relatively simple arithmetic processing and the like, and has a smaller amount of data than the case where image data and audio data for reading errors are stored in the memory in advance. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the memory from being wasted.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a case where the present invention is applied to a game device that executes a game program stored in a storage medium such as an optical disk will be described.
[0015]
[Configuration of game device]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a game apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The game device executes a game according to a game program stored in a DVD-ROM 15 as an example of a storage medium.
[0016]
The game device 16 is connected to the monitor 9, the speaker 10, the controller 12, the auxiliary storage device 13, and the DVD-ROM 15. The monitor 9 generally uses a home television receiver, and the speaker 10 generally uses a built-in speaker of the television receiver. The controller 12 functions as an input device, and is provided with an operation member that receives an operation by the player.
[0017]
The auxiliary storage device 13 is a storage medium for storing data related to game progress and the like, and for example, a semiconductor memory can be used. The DVD-ROM 15 stores programs and data necessary for game execution, and details thereof will be described later. Note that various storage media such as a CD-ROM and a semiconductor memory may be used instead of the DVD-ROM 15.
[0018]
The game device 16 includes a CPU 1 mainly composed of a microprocessor, a ROM 2 and a RAM 3 as main storage devices for the CPU 1, a graphics processing unit (GPU) 4 and a sound processing unit (SPU) for image processing and sound processing. ) 6, buffers 5 and 7 for those units, and a DVD-ROM reader 8. In the ROM 2, an operating system is written as a program necessary for controlling the operation of a plurality of game devices. The RAM 3 functions as a memory for storing a game program and the like, and a game program and data read from the DVD-ROM 15 as a storage medium are written as necessary.
[0019]
The GPU 4 receives the image data from the CPU 1 and draws a game screen on the frame buffer 5, converts the drawn image data into a predetermined video reproduction signal, and outputs it to the monitor 9 at a predetermined timing. The SPU 6 reproduces data such as voice and musical sound, sound source data, etc. read from the DVD-ROM 15 and stored in the sound buffer 7 and outputs the data from the speaker 10.
[0020]
The DVD-ROM reader 8 reads a program or data stored on the DVD-ROM 15 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 1 and outputs a signal corresponding to the read content.
[0021]
A communication control device 11 is connected to the CPU 1 via a bus 14, and a controller 12 and an auxiliary storage device 13 are detachably connected to the device 11. The communication control device 11 scans the operation state of the operation member of the controller 12 at a constant cycle (for example, 1/60 seconds), and outputs a signal corresponding to the scan result to the CPU 1. The CPU 1 determines the operation state of the controller 12 based on the signal. Further, the communication control device 11 functions to perform necessary communication with the server 23 via the network 20.
[0022]
Various configurations of the controller 12 can be used. FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a general-purpose controller 12 </ b> A that is an example of the controller 12.
[0023]
The general-purpose controller 12A shown in FIG. 2 is generally used regardless of the type of game. Four push button switches PB1 to PB4 and PB5 to PB8 are provided in a cross shape on the left and right sides of the resin main body MB, respectively. Two push button switches PB9 to PB12 are provided on the front side of the main body MB. Small push button switches PB13 and PB14 are provided in the center of the main body MB. The left pushbutton switches PB1 to PB4 are generally used as means for designating the moving direction of a character, a cursor, etc., and they may be collectively referred to as a direction indicating switch. Various commands and the like of the game are assigned to the four right pushbutton switches PB5 to PB8. On the pushbutton switches PB5 to PB8, for example, symbols “Δ”, “×”, “□”, or “◯” are displayed as symbols thereof. The number “1” is displayed on the pushbutton switches PB9 and PB11 on the front side, and the number “2” is displayed on the pushbutton switches PB10 and P12. The pushbutton switch PB9 is “L1 button”, the PB10 is “L2 button”, and the pushbutton switch. PB11 is called "R1 button", and pushbutton switch PB12 is called "R2 button". Further, the push button switch PB13 is called a select button, and the push button switch PB14 is called a start button.
[0024]
[Reading error handling]
Next, reading error handling processing by the game device of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a part related to the reading error handling process in the game apparatus 16 of the present invention. As described above, the game apparatus 16 includes a memory (RAM 3), and stores and executes a game program or the like in the memory. The DVD-ROM 15 stores a game program 20 of a game, a read error handling processing program 22, and game data 23, as shown. The game program 20 is a program for executing a predetermined game, and the game data 23 includes various data such as control data, image data, and audio data necessary for the progress of the game. The game progresses when the game device 16 uses the necessary game data and executes the game program 20. On the other hand, the read error handling process program 22 is a program for executing a read error handling process which is a characteristic part of the present invention.
[0025]
At the start of the game, the user attaches the DVD-ROM 15 to the game device 16, and the game device 16 stores the game program 20, the read error handling processing program 22 and the necessary games stored in the DVD-ROM 15 under the control of the CPU 1. Data 23 is read and stored in the memory. Note that the game data 23 includes a large amount of data according to the progress of the game and the like, and at the start of the game, only the data required at the start of the game is read out and stored in the memory. Thereafter, necessary data is sequentially read from the DVD-ROM 15 and stored in the memory according to the progress of the game.
[0026]
After the game is started, the CPU 1 executes the game program 20 stored in the memory, and advances the game by processing the game data 23 also stored in the memory. While the game is in progress, the CPU 1 controls the GPU 4 according to the game program 20 to display a game image on the monitor 9, and controls the SPU 6 to output sound data such as game music and character conversation from the speaker 10.
[0027]
As described above, as the game progresses, the game apparatus 16 sets new game data 23 (that is, game data that is necessary for the subsequent game progress but is not yet stored in the memory at that time). Is read from the DVD-ROM 15 and stored in the memory. Usually, the data amount of the game data 23 read from the DVD-ROM 15 is not set so much as necessary. Therefore, the game data 23 required during the game is read from the DVD-ROM 15 and stored in the memory. Processing time is relatively short. Therefore, during the reading of game data, it is common to continue outputting the game image and sound output at that time.
[0028]
On the other hand, the reading of the game data 23 from the DVD-ROM 15 may fail for some reason (this is referred to as “reading error”), and if a reading error occurs, the game device 16 correctly plays the game. The data is read again (retry) until the reading of the data is completed. However, if reading is retried many times, the game image and sound at that time will continue to be output as they are, and the user will feel uncomfortable. Therefore, in the present invention, when a reading error occurs, a reading error handling process is executed to generate and output image data and audio data for the reading error. As a result, the user does not feel uncomfortable.
[0029]
The read error handling process of the present invention is performed by the CPU 1 executing the read error handling process program 22 stored in the memory. Here, a characteristic point of the reading error handling process of the present invention is that when a reading error occurs, the reading error handling program 22 generates and outputs image data and audio data for the reading error. is there. That is, in the read error handling process of the present invention, there is no need to prepare in advance dedicated material data to be output at the time of an error, for example, display the characters “Now Loading ..” and store it in the memory. Therefore, the use efficiency of the memory can be improved without unnecessary use of the memory by such dedicated material data.
[0030]
The generation of image data and audio data for reading errors can be performed by several methods. In the first method, the reading error handling processing program 22 is configured to generate image data and audio data for reading errors using a predetermined arithmetic expression or function. Specifically, noise image data (for example, a noise screen that appears on a TV screen without signal input (commonly called “sandstorm”)) is generated and read using a predetermined arithmetic expression or function. It can be displayed as image data for error. It is also possible to generate a predetermined dot pattern using a predetermined arithmetic expression or function and display it as image data for a reading error. Further, by generating a sine wave using a function that generates a sine wave and changing the frequency of the sine wave, it is possible to generate effective sound data and reproduce it as sound data for reading error. In the case of the first method, since image data and audio data for reading errors are generated by an arithmetic expression or the like, there is no need to always store material data for reading errors in the memory.
[0031]
The second method for generating image data and audio data for reading errors uses data stored in a memory when a reading error occurs. Basically it is unknown when a reading error occurs, and what data is stored in the memory 3 when the reading error occurs is unknown, but it can be displayed as image data or output as audio data In this case, it is possible to output a meaningless data like the noise screen or noise sound. For example, it is possible to output a kind of noise screen or noise sound by outputting control codes and other data constituting the game program 20 as image data and sound data instead of image data and sound data.
[0032]
Some game devices always store in a memory font data that constitutes characters displayed during the game. In such a game apparatus, some processing is performed using font data when a reading error occurs, and image data and audio data for the reading error can be generated. In the case of the second method as well, pseudo noise image data and noise audio data are created by using the data that happens to be stored in the memory when a reading error occurs, and output as output data for reading error. There is no need to prepare material data dedicated to reading errors in the memory in advance.
[0033]
Next, an example of read error handling processing will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a time chart showing an example of the reading error handling process, and shows the reading state of the storage medium such as the DVD-ROM 15 and the output image and output sound in each state. FIG. 5 shows an example of a game screen during the reading error handling process. FIG. 5A shows an example of a game image during a reading error, and FIG. 5B shows an example of a game image after returning from the reading error. The game in this example is such that a plurality of users become characters and act as a group or team, and the game image 42 is a face image display field 41 and a conversation content display of the characters having a conversation during the game. Column 42 is included. In addition, audio corresponding to the conversation content shown in the conversation content display field 42 is output from the speaker. In the example of FIGS. 5A and 5B, it is assumed that a reading error occurs when the characters 44 and 45 in the game are talking.
[0034]
Referring to FIG. 4, first, from time t1 to time t2 when the game is in progress, the game data is normally read from the DVD-ROM 15, and the face image 41b illustrated in FIG. 5B is displayed. At the same time, a corresponding normal conversation voice is output. Next, when a reading error occurs at time t2, a noise image 41a shown in FIG. 5A is displayed in the face image display column 41, and a noise sound such as “Pe. When the reading error is eliminated at time t3 and the reading of the game data is resumed, the image 41a shown in FIG. 5A is changed to the image 41b shown in FIG. 5B in the face image display column 41. For example, the image data transits by a process such as crossfading, and a normal conversation voice is output after time t3.
[0035]
Here, between the time t2 and t3, the image 41a output as image data for reading error and the noise sound output as audio data for reading image error both have a predetermined arithmetic expression as described above. Are generated and output using the above, and are not previously stored in the memory as material data for reading errors.
[0036]
[Function block]
Next, a functional block configuration of the game apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the game apparatus 16 according to the present invention includes a memory 50, means 51, game progress means 52, and error processing means 53.
[0037]
The reading / writing means 51 reads the game program and game data necessary for the progress of the game from the storage medium 54 storing the game program, and stores them in the memory 50. The game progress means 52 executes the game program stored in the memory 50, processes the game data as necessary, and progresses the game, and outputs game images and game sounds from the monitor 55 and the speaker 56, respectively. To do.
[0038]
When the game progresses by the game progress means 52 and further game data is required, the read / write means 51 reads the game data from the storage medium 54 and stores it in the memory 50. Here, when an error occurs in reading from the storage medium 54 by the reading / writing means 51, the reading / writing means 51 performs retry of reading and the like, and the error processing means 53 outputs the output data for reading error. Specifically, image data and audio data for reading error are generated and output to the monitor 55 and the speaker 56. The error processing means 53 generates and outputs reading error data using a predetermined arithmetic expression, function, or the like, or using data stored in the memory 50 at that time. Therefore, it is not necessary to store dedicated image data and audio data to be output at the time of a reading error in the memory 50 in advance, and the memory 50 can be used efficiently.
[0039]
[Game execution processing]
Next, game execution processing by the game device of the present invention including the above-described reading error handling processing will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the game execution process by the game apparatus of the present invention. Note that this game execution process is basically realized by the CPU 1 in the game apparatus 16 shown in FIG. 3 executing the game program 20 and the read error handling process program 22.
[0040]
First, the CPU 1 functioning as the reading / writing means 51 reads the game program, the game data, and the read error handling processing program from the storage medium 54 such as the DVD-ROM 15 and stores them in the memory 50 (step S1). Next, the CPU 1 functions as the game execution means 52 and proceeds with the game using the game program and game data stored in the memory 50 (step S2). Then, the CPU 1 determines whether or not conditions for ending the game, for example, a predetermined stage is cleared, a user inputs an instruction to end the game, and the like (step S3). If the game end condition is not provided (step S3; No), the CPU 1 determines whether or not data reading from the storage medium 54 is necessary (step S4). Data reading in this case refers to reading image data to be displayed next and audio data to be reproduced next from the storage medium in accordance with the progress of the game.
[0041]
If reading of data is not necessary (step S4; No), the process returns to step S2, and the game program is continuously executed. On the other hand, if it is necessary to read data (step S4; Yes), the CPU 1 functions as the reading / writing means 51 and starts reading predetermined data from the storage medium 54 (step S5), and checks whether there is a reading error. Determination is made (step S6). If no reading error occurs, that is, if the reading is performed normally (step S6; No), the process returns to step S2, and the game is continued using the read data.
[0042]
On the other hand, when a reading error occurs (step S6; Yes), the CPU 1 functions as the error processing means 53, and generates and outputs image data and audio data for reading error (step S7). Then, the process returns to step S6, and the CPU 1 continues to generate and output image data and audio data for reading error until the reading error is eliminated.
[0043]
As described above, according to the progress of the game, the game device of the present invention reads further data from the storage medium during the execution of the game program and continues the game. When an error occurs in reading data from the storage medium, the CPU 1 generates and outputs image data and audio data for reading error as error processing means. Thus, the game is continued until the game end condition is satisfied.
[0044]
[Modification]
In the example described above, when an error occurs in reading data from a storage medium such as an optical disk, the read error handling process is performed. For example, the game progresses while communicating game data with the server device. In the case of a network game, an error handling process can be performed in the same manner as a reading error when an error occurs in the acquisition of game data with a server such as a communication line failure. Also in this case, the game device can generate and output error image data and audio data until the communication state is recovered while retrying communication with the server. At this time, in the error processing of the present invention, it is not necessary to store the error processing material data in the game device in advance, as in the case of a reading error from a storage medium such as a disk.
[0045]
In the above example, both the image data and audio data for reading error are output at the time of reading error, but it is also possible to output only one of them.
[0046]
Note that, by the error processing described above, image data and audio data for a reading error are output during the reading error, so that the user can guess that a reading error has occurred and that the data is being retried. If there is no change in the display image or the output sound during the retry after the reading error, the user may reset the game device because the operation of the game device is abnormal, but in the error processing of the present invention, even during the reading error, Since image data and audio data for error are output, it is possible to prevent the user from resetting the game device. In addition, since the game device knows that the reading is being retried by outputting image data and audio data for reading errors, game program producers are programming specific display codes or characters for debugging. It is possible to know the error state of the game device without having to insert it into the game. Thereby, there is also an advantage that a game producer or the like can easily debug the final product version of the game program.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when a data reading error occurs during the game, image data and audio data for error are generated and output by an error processing program or the like. Therefore, it is not necessary to always store dedicated image data and audio data for reading errors in the game apparatus, and the memory of the game apparatus can be used effectively.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a game device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows an example of the controller shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a portion related to a reading error handling process in the game device according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a time chart showing an example of read error handling processing according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 shows an example of image data for reading error.
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of a game device according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a game execution process of the game device according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 CPU
2 ROM
3 RAM
4 GPU
5 Frame buffer 6 SPU
7 Sound buffer 8 DVD-ROM reader 9 Monitor 10 Speaker 11 Communication control device 12 Controller 13 Auxiliary storage device 14 Bus 15 DVD-ROM
16 game device 20 game program 22 read error handling processing program 23 game data

Claims (2)

A program execution device comprising: a memory; a read / write unit that reads a game program from a storage medium and writes the game program; and a program execution unit that executes the game program written to the memory,
Error processing means for outputting output data for reading error including at least one of image data and audio data when an error occurs in reading game data from the storage medium by the reading / writing means ,
The program execution device , wherein the error processing means outputs a control code constituting the game program stored in the memory as the read error output data when the read error occurs . The read / write means reads a read error handling processing program from the storage medium and writes it to the memory prior to execution of the game program by the program execution means,
2. The program execution device according to claim 1 , wherein the error processing means generates the read error output data by executing the read error handling processing program.

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